Backcountry Tourism Perspectives on Shared Decision Making in B.C. Land Use Planning‪.‬

Abstract This paper examines the degree to which shared decision making (SDM) principles, guidelines, and outcomes were realized in British Columbia's land and resource management plans (LRMPs) from the perspective of tourism respondents who participated in these LRMP processes. The findings suggest that tourism stakeholders are generally satisfied with how SDM mechanisms helped shape the LRMP outcomes. They also identify areas where SDM processes could be strengthened in order to generate more positive and lasting results for the tourism industry. To address these weaknesses, the paper recommends that future SDM processes provide increased financial support for stakeholder participation, address inequities in opportunities for stakeholder participation; and conduct more training for process participants.